Track: Diekman, Zimmerman are Spectrum’s first two state qualifiers

Spectrum has a state qualifier in track-and-field for the first time. In fact, two of them.

Kayla Zimmerman was the girls 800-meter run winner and Kal Diekman was the boys 110 high hurdles winner in the Section 5A meet Wednesday at St. John’s.

“Each year, we have doubled our individual qualifiers from sub-section to section,” said coach Rick Peterson, “and now we are very pleased to have our first athletes going on to the state. It’s very exciting.”

Kayla Zimmerman, Spectrum junior, held her lead and won the 800. (Photo by Rick Peterson)

Zimmerman, a junior, won in 2:20.62, with a St. Cloud Cathedral runner next in 2:25.70.

Diekman, a senior, won in 15.44, after posting a 15.14 in the prelims. An Albany hurdler was second in 15.60.

Diekman also placed fourth in the 300 intermediate hurdles with 42.05.

Also scoring were Sting junior Becca Peterson, fourth in the 3200 with 12:04.21, and junior Sarah Staurseth,, fifth in 100 hurdles with 16.80.

Zimmerman and Diekman will compete in the state Class A meet Friday and Saturday, June 7-8, at Hamline.